Anti-Kennedy bishop targeted Rudy, Pelosi

The same bishop who is denying Communion to Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) claims he avoids politics — but he first made a national splash two years ago by comparing Rudy Giuliani to Pontius Pilate.

Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin wrote an op-ed in the Rhode Island Catholic attacking Giuliani in May 2007, the same year he allegedly wrote a letter to Kennedy informing the pro-choice Democrat he was not a "good practicing Catholic" because of the positions he has taken as a public official.

In the column — which was a public response to Giuliani's invitation to a Providence fundraiser for his presidential campaign — Tobin wrote that he had no interest in politics, yet proceeded to call out many prominent Catholic politicians by name.

"I have no idea why I received an invitation to Giuliani’s fundraiser. I don’t know the mayor; I’ve never met him. I try to avoid partisan politics. Heck, I’m not even a Republican. But most of all, I would never support a candidate who supports legalized abortion.

"Rudy’s public proclamations on abortion are pathetic and confusing. Even worse, they’re hypocritical. ... Rudy’s defection from the Catholic Faith on this moral issue is not unique, of course. Catholic politicians of both parties, nationwide, have followed a similar path in abandoning the Faith for the sake of political expediency: Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Pat Leahy, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden come quickly to mind. And on a local level of course, Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Senator Jack Reed. How these intelligent men and women will someday stand before the judgment seat of God and explain why they legitimized the death of countless innocent children in the sin of abortion is beyond me. (“But God, really, I was personally opposed to it but just couldn’t do anything about it.”)"